act-2002-0-178•Pennsylvania Act 2002-178 — ALLEGHENY, CAMERON, CLEARFIELD, ELK, WASHINGTON AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES HIGHWAYS AND INTERCHANGES - DESIGNATIONS
Pennsylvania Act 2002-178 — ALLEGHENY, CAMERON, CLEARFIELD, ELK, WASHINGTON AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES HIGHWAYS AND INTERCHANGES - DESIGNATIONS
act-2002-0-1782002 Pa. Act 178Law
Act text
ALLEGHENY, CAMERON, CLEARFIELD, ELK, WASHINGTON AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES
HIGHWAYS AND INTERCHANGES - DESIGNATIONS
Act of Dec. 9, 2002, P.L. 1412, No. 178 Cl. 87
AN ACT
Designating a portion of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, State Route
43, as the Yohogania County Courthouse Highway; designating
the Mon/Fayette Expressway interchange connecting to
Commonwealth Avenue and State Route 837 in the City of
Duquesne as the First Sergeant Leonard Funk, Jr.,
Interchange; designating the Mon/Fayette Expressway
interchange with East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard in
North Versailles as the Captain Michael John Estocin
Interchange; designating an interchange of the Mon/Fayette
Expressway with I-376 in Monroeville, Westmoreland County, as
the Captain James A. Graham Interchange; designating the half
interchange including only the westbound Mon/Fayette
Expressway to I-376 and eastbound I-376 to Mon/Fayette in the
City of Pittsburgh as the Lance Corporal William R. Prom
Interchange; designating the Mon/Fayette Expressway
interchange with Sixth Street in Braddock as the Ensign Henry
Clay Drexler Interchange; designating the half interchange of
the Mon/Fayette Expressway, including only westbound off and
eastbound on movements, with Second Avenue in the City of
Pittsburgh as the Corporal Charles E. Kelly Interchange;
designating the interchange with Business Route 22 in Wilkins
Township, Allegheny County, as the Staff Sergeant John Minick
Interchange; designating the half interchange with access
road connecting to Thompson Run Road in Penn Hills Township
as the Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel Interchange;
designating the interchange with Second Avenue at the north
end of Glenwood Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh as the
Private First Class John "Jack" Kelly Interchange;
designating the interchange connecting Camp Hollow Road in
West Mifflin and Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard (Richland
Avenue) in Dravosburg as the Private Franklin J. Phillips
Interchange; designating a section of State Route 1011 in
Clearfield, Cameron and Elk Counties as the Quehanna Highway;
and designating the interchange, Exit 44, at Route 136 and
Dry Run Road in Washington County as the Staff Sergeant Karl
Gorman Taylor, Sr., Interchange.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Yohogania County Courthouse Highway.
(a) Designation authorized.--The Mon/Fayette Expressway,
State Route 43, beginning at the Allegheny/Washington County
border north to the intersection with State Route 51 in the
borough of Jefferson Hills is designated as the Yohogania County
Courthouse Highway.
(b) Signs.--Appropriate signs shall be posted and maintained
by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Section 2. First Sergeant Leonard Funk, Jr., Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) First Sergeant Leonard Funk, born in Braddock Hills,
distinguished himself by gallant, intrepid actions against
the enemy at Holzheim, Belgium, on January 29, 1945.
(2) After advancing 15 miles in a driving snowstorm, the
American force prepared to attack through waist-deep drifts.
The company executive officer became a casualty, and Sergeant
Funk immediately assumed his duties, forming headquarters
soldiers into a combat unit for an assault in the face of
direct artillery shelling and harassing fire from the right
flank.
(3) Under his skillful and courageous leadership, this
miscellaneous group and the Third Platoon attacked 15 houses,
cleared them and took 30 prisoners without suffering a
casualty.
(4) Sergeant Funk's bold action and heroic disregard for
his own safety were directly responsible for the recapture of
a vastly superior enemy force which if allowed to remain free
could have taken the widespread units of Company C by
surprise and endangered the entire attack plan.
(5) For his heroic efforts Sergeant Funk received the
Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman at the White
House.
(b) Designation.--The Mon/Fayette Expressway interchange
connecting to Commonwealth Avenue and State Route 837 in the
City of Duquesne is hereby designated and shall hereafter be
known as the First Sergeant Leonard Funk, Jr., Interchange in
recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 3. Captain Michael John Estocin Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) Born April 27, 1931, in Turtle Creek, Captain
Estocin graduated from the State Teachers College, Slippery
Rock, and entered the naval service as an aviation cadet in
June 1954.
(2) Captain Estocin, leading a three-plane group of
aircraft in support of a coordinated strike against two
thermal power plants in Haiphong, North Vietnam, on April 20,
1967, provided continuous warnings to the strike group
leaders of the surface-to-air threats and personally
neutralized three SAM sites.
(3) On April 26, 1967, in the support of a coordinated
strike against the vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, he led
an attack on a threatening SAM site during which an exploding
SAM seriously damaged his aircraft. Nevertheless, he regained
control of his burning aircraft and courageously launched his
STRIKE missiles before departing the area.
(4) Captain Michael John Estocin is the only Navy jet
pilot to receive the Medal of Honor for a combat role. While
the Medal of Honor was not normally given for a combination
of missions, an exception was made for this very intense two-
day STRIKE mission, and, according to those who flew with
Estocin, the honor was well-deserved.
(b) Designation authorized.--The Mon/Fayette Expressway
interchange with East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard in North
Versailles is hereby designated and shall hereafter be known as
the Captain Michael John Estocin Interchange in recognition of
the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 4. Captain James A. Graham Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) On June 2, 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam, Captain
James A. Graham, Wilkinsburg, displayed conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty.
(2) As the leader of 2nd Platoon of Company F, Captain
Graham was leading his platoon across a paddy area 1,000
meters wide when it came under fire from mortars and small
arms that immediately inflicted a large number of casualties.
(3) Forming an assault unit, Captain Graham assaulted
one machine gun nest, relieving pressure on his platoon,
allowing the wounded to be evacuated. Despite being twice
wounded, Captain Graham accounted for 15 enemy kills.
(4) With the enemy position remaining invincible,
Captain Graham chose to remain at the side of a wounded
comrade rather than withdraw. Captain Graham died while
protecting himself and the wounded man he chose not to
abandon.
(5) Captain Graham's outstanding courage, superb
leadership and indomitable fighting spirit undoubtedly saved
the 2nd Platoon from annihilation and reflected great credit
upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
(b) Designation authorized.--The interchange with I-376 in
Monroeville is hereby designated and shall hereafter be known as
the Captain James A. Graham Interchange in recognition of the
Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 5. Lance Corporal William R. Prom Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) On February 9, 1969, near An Hoa, Republic of
Vietnam, while returning from a reconnaissance operation
during Operation TAYLOR COMMON, two platoons of Company One
came under an intense automatic weapons fire and grenade
attack.
(2) Lance Corporal Prom immediately assumed control of
one of his machine guns and began to deliver return fire,
disregarding his own safety.
(3) Realizing that the enemy would have to be destroyed
before the injured marines could be evacuated, Lance Corporal
Prom moved forward and delivered a heavy volume of fire,
permitting his men to regroup and resume their march.
(4) Shortly thereafter the platoon again came under
heavy fire in which one man was critically wounded. Reacting
instantly, Lance Corporal Prom moved forward to protect his
injured comrade.
(5) Unable to continue his fire because of his severe
wounds, he continued to advance to within a few yards of the
enemy positions. There, standing in full view of the enemy,
he directed the fire of his support elements until he was
mortally wounded. Inspired by his heroic actions, the marines
launched an assault that destroyed the enemy.
(6) Lance Corporal Prom's indomitable courage, inspiring
initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
(b) Designation authorized.--The half interchange, including
only westbound Mon/Fayette to I-376 and eastbound I-376 to
Mon/Fayette, in the City of Pittsburgh is hereby designated and
shall hereafter be known as the Lance Corporal William R. Prom
Interchange in recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 6. Ensign Henry Clay Drexler Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) Born in Braddock, on August 7, 1901, he graduated
from the United States Naval Academy in 1924.
(2) At 3:35 on the afternoon of October 20, 1924, while
the USS Trenton was preparing to fire trial installation
shots from the two six-inch guns in the forward twin mount of
the vessel, two charges of powder ignited, trapping 20 men in
the twin mount.
(3) Ensign Drexler, without thought for his own safety,
on seeing that the charge of powder for the left gun was
ignited, jumped for the right charge and endeavored to put it
in the immersion tank. The left charge burst into flames and
ignited the right charge before Ensign Drexler could
accomplish his purpose. He fell on the spot where he was
making a supreme effort to save his shipmates.
(4) Ensign Drexler was awarded the Medal of Honor by a
Special Act of Congress on February 3, 1933, one of the few
Medals of Honor ever bestowed on an individual not in a
combat theater.
(b) Designation.--The Mon/Fayette Expressway interchange
with Sixth Street in Braddock is hereby designated and shall
hereafter be known as the Ensign Henry Clay Drexler Interchange
in recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 7. Corporal Charles E. Kelly Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) On September 13, 1943, near Altavilla, Italy,
Corporal Kelly voluntarily joined a patrol that located and
neutralized enemy machine gun positions.
(2) Later Corporal Kelly again voluntarily traversed
more than a mile through enemy-held territory to gather
information about enemy placements.
(3) The following day Corporal Kelly positioned himself
in a storehouse window and rained effective fire on the enemy
throughout the day. When the position was about to be
overrun, Corporal Kelly voluntarily maintained his position,
using mortars to hold the enemy at bay while the remainder of
his detachment withdrew.
(4) As the detachment moved out, Corporal Kelly was
observed deliberately loading and firing a rocket launcher
from the window. He was successful in covering the withdrawal
of the unit and later in joining his own organization.
(5) Corporal Kelly's fighting determination and
intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the
United States Armed Forces.
(6) The United States Army Base at Oakdale is named for
Kelly, and he is buried in the Highwood Cemetery on Brighton
Road in Pittsburgh.
(b) Designation authorized.--The half interchange, including
only westbound off and eastbound on movements, with Second
Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh is hereby designated and shall
hereafter be known as the Corporal Charles E. Kelly Interchange
in recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 8. Staff Sergeant John Minick Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) Staff Sergeant John Minick displayed conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above
and beyond the call of duty in action involving combat with
the enemy on November 21, 1944.
(2) Staff Sergeant Minick's battalion was halted in its
advance by extensive minefields, exposing troops to heavy
concentrations of enemy artillery and mortar fire. Further
delay in the advance would result in numerous casualties, and
a movement through the minefield was essential.
(3) Voluntarily, Staff Sergeant Minick led four men
through hazardous barbed wire and debris, finally making his
way through the minefield. When an enemy machine gun opened
fire, he signaled his men to take cover, edged his way toward
the flank of the weapon and opened fire, killing two and
capturing three others.
(4) Moving forward again, he encountered and engaged
single-handedly an entire company, killing 20 Germans and
capturing 20.
(5) Again moving ahead and spearheading his battalion's
advance, he again encountered machine gun fire. Crawling
forward, he reached a point from which he knocked the weapon
out of action.
(6) While advancing forward a third time under constant
enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Minick detonated a land mine and
was instantly killed.
(7) Staff Sergeant John Minick was posthumously awarded
the last Medal of Honor for World War II.
(b) Designation authorized.--The interchange with Business
Route 22 in Wilkins Township, Allegheny County, is hereby
designated and shall hereafter be known as the Staff Sergeant
John Minick Interchange in recognition of the Medal of Honor
recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 9. Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel
Interchange. (9 repealed Apr. 29, 2010, P.L.185,
No.22)
Section 10. Private First Class John "Jack" Kelly Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) "Jack" Kelly was born July 8, 1928, and graduated
from Homestead High School in 1947. He enlisted in the United
States Marine Corps after the start of the Korean War and
served with Company C, 1st Batallion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division (Reinforced).
(2) On May 28, 1952, in Korea, PFC Kelly showed
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as a
radio operator in action against enemy aggressor forces.
(3) With his platoon pinned down by a numerically
superior enemy force employing intense mortar, artillery and
small-arms and grenade fire, PFC Kelly left his radio in the
care of another man and participated in an assault on enemy
key positions.
(4) Fearlessly charging forward in the face of a
murderous hail of machine gun fire and hand grenades, he
initiated a daring attack against a hostile strong point and
personally neutralized the position, killing two of the
enemy.
(5) Although painfully wounded, PFC Kelly bravely
charged a machine gun bunker. Mortally wounded by enemy fire
while carrying out this heroic action, PFC Kelly by his great
personal valor inspired his comrades to sweep on, overrun and
secure the objective.
(6) Private First Class Kelly was awarded the Medal of
Honor posthumously.
(b) Designation authorized.--The interchange with Second
Avenue at the north end of the Glenwood Bridge in the City of
Pittsburgh is hereby designated and shall hereafter be known as
the Private First Class John "Jack" Kelly Interchange in
recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 11. Private Franklin J. Phillips Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) Franklin Phillips enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps on May 19, 1899, and was assigned to The
Battleship Oregon, which was transporting marines to the
Boxer Rebellion in Peking, China.
(2) Phillips' unit was part of the American Legation
Guard that was charged with protecting American citizens in
Peking. It was while serving with the detachment ashore that
Private Phillips was killed on July 16, 1900, the last day of
the uprising.
(3) For distinguished conduct in the presence of the
enemy under heavy fire in Peking, China, on July 16, 1900,
Franklin Phillips was awarded the Medal of Honor by John D.
Long, Secretary of the Navy, on July 19, 1901.
(b) Designation authorized.--The interchange connecting Camp
Hollow Road in West Mifflin and Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard
(Richland Avenue) in Dravosburg is hereby designated and shall
hereafter be known as the Private Franklin J. Phillips
Interchange in recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 12. Quehanna Highway.
(a) Designation.--The section of State Route 1011 that runs
from Route 879 near Karthaus in Clearfield County through the
Quehanna Wild Area in Cameron and Elk Counties and ends at State
Route 555 at Medix Run in Elk County is designated and shall be
known as the Quehanna Highway.
(b) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
maintain appropriate signs at each end of the section of highway
identifying the portion of road described in subsection (a) as
the Quehanna Highway.
Section 13. Staff Sergeant Karl Gorman Taylor, Sr.,
Interchange.
(a) Findings.--
(1) On December 8, 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam,
Staff Sergeant Taylor, while serving at night as a company
gunnery sergeant during Operation Meade River, exhibited
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life, above and beyond the call of duty.
(2) Staff Sergeant Taylor, when informed that the
commander of the lead platoon had been mortally wounded,
crawled forward to the beleaguered unit through a hail of
hostile fire, shouted encouragement and instructions to the
men and deployed them to covered positions.
(3) Staff Sergeant Taylor repeatedly maneuvered across
an open area to rescue those marines who were too seriously
wounded to move themselves.
(4) When confronted with devastating fire, Staff
Sergeant Taylor took his grenade launcher and, in full view
of the enemy, charged across the open rice paddy toward the
machine gun position, firing his weapon as he ran.
(5) Although wounded several times, Staff Sergeant
Taylor succeeded in reaching the machine gun bunker and
silenced the fire moments before he was mortally wounded.
(6) Directly instrumental in saving the lives of several
of his fellow marines, Staff Sergeant Taylor by his
indomitable courage, inspiring leadership and selfless
dedication upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps
and of the United States Naval Service.
(b) Designation authorized.--The interchange, Exit 44, at
Route 136 and Dry Run Road in Washington County is hereby
designated and shall hereafter be known as the Staff Sergeant
Karl Gorman Taylor, Sr., Interchange in recognition of the Medal
of Honor recipient.
(c) Signs.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect
appropriate signs at the interchange displaying the designation
under subsection (b).
Section 14. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
Continue your research in ChatGPT or Claude
Connect Omnilex to search the legal corpus from your AI assistant.